With a great selection of off-site bars and restaurants within walking distance, the seven-story Radisson Aquatica Barbados is located in the Garrison Historic Area (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former location of the British Military headquarters in the Caribbean) and caters to a mix of couples, families, and singles with affordable rates. The pool is quite small and shallow, there’s no swim-up bar, and the fitness center doesn’t have much; but the property offers a very nice white-sand beach on Carlisle Bay (it’s called “Pebbles Beach”), good overall service, a relatively tranquil atmosphere, good rooms for the price (despite their generic hotel feel and somewhat worn appearance), an open-air restaurant with ocean views (there’s also a poolside grill), managers’ cocktail parties, and complimentary rum punch upon arrival. Rooms come with private balconies, large flat-screen TVs, and work desks; the more upscale Pier Suites, which come with butler service, are located on the resort’s pier, directly over the ocean. Activities on-site and in the immediate vicinity include scuba diving and snorkeling via Barbados Blue Water Sports or GFish (both are nearby), horseback riding (nearby), jet skiing, parasailing, swimming with sea turtles, and stand-up paddleboarding yoga classes.
All travelers to Barbados are required to present proof of a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at a an accredited or recognized laboratory within three days prior to arrival. It is also necessary to complete your on-line immigration and customs form by going to www.travelform.gov.bb. The form should be completed 24 hours prior to arrival, and preferably include the upload of your negative COVID-19 PCR test result. Travelers will be required to retest with a COVID-19 PCR test 5 days (120 hours) after their arrival in the country. If the result of that second PCR test is negative, that traveler can now enjoy unrestricted movement to public spaces (including the beach). Guests from High and Medium Category countries (which currently includes the UK, the US and Canada) must quarantine in their rooms until the second test is negative.